Issued by: North West Communication Service
STATEMENT BY THE NW DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 2. PROJECTS COMPLETED 2.1 ROAD SAFETY PROJECTS 2.1.1 SEMINARS 2.1.2 CHILD IN TRAFFIC 2.1.3 DANNY CAT 2.1.4 MINE'S PROJECT 3. PROJECT CURRENTLY UNDERWAY 3.1 PILANESBERG AIRPORT 3.2 MMABATHO AIRPORT 3.3 TAXI OFFICES 3.4 FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 3.5 TRANSFORMATION PROJECT 3.6 FESTIVE SEASON CAMPAIGN 4. CONCLUSION
1. INTRODUCTION
During the course of this year, the Department embarked on a number of projects. These are medium term and long term projects aimed at improving the quality of life of the people of the Northwest Province. Central to these projects is the development of our human resources in order to be sensitive and responsive to the needs of our people. This is also in the line with the Reconstruction and Development Programme and the White Paper on the Transformation of the Public service.
2. PROJECTS COMPLETED
As indicated in the introduction above, these are not short term projects
2.1 ROAD SAFETY PROJECTS
2.1.1 SEMINARS
Seminars were conducted with teachers on how road safety can be integrated into any school subject.
2.1.2 CHILD IN TRAFFIC
This is an ongoing process where school children are been taught about the importance of road safety. This also involves scholar patrols and a large population of pupil/student has been covered.
2.1.3 DANNY CAT
This is a play performed by officials and the children to understand how roads can be made safer.
2.1.4 MINES'S PROJECT
Senior pedestrians are taught how to use roads safely. This projects is specifical in the North West Province.
3. PROJECTS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY
3.1 PILANESBERG AIRPORT
During the course of this year, a moratorium on the landing of bigger aircraft was introduced due to the deterioration of the pavement structure of the runway. This dealt a serious blow to the tourism industry in the region and the North West Province. The Task Team and Steering Committee for the expansion of this airport decided that a comprehensive Master Plan be undertaken to tease out the economic justifiability of the project.
Tenders were invited for this multi purpose Master Plan and Ninham Shand was recommended by the Tender Board. This Master Plan has been completed as scheduled and a detailed report has been submitted and is currently under consideration.
3.2 MMABATHO AIRPORT
An investigation of the possibility of using Mmabatho airport into an aviation academy has been commissioned to ensure the re-utilisation of the existing structure. The airport was found to have been considerably under utilised since its construction in 1984.
3.3 TAXI OFFICES
Provincial Taxi Offices are to be opened soon to co-ordinate taxi industry training and to ensure that taxi operators and drivers are trained. It is a National requirement to develop the taxi industry into a formal transport sector. The aim is to develop this industry in order for it to compete with other modes of transport.
3.4 FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
An investigation of the Fleet Management system has been completed and the necessary recommendations submitted to the Tender Board for approval. This system will ensure proper financial control and reduce unnecessary manual. Coupled with this is an investigation on how this system will affect our Staff Complement.
3.5 TRANSFORMATION PROJECT
After the integration of the three former traffic agencies, problems were encountered due to the different cultures they come from. The Department then decided to address the problem before it got out of hand by engaging the services of the Labour Link Consultants.
A workshop for culture audit was launched on 4 July 1996 and all Traffic Officers and administrative staff were briefed about the process. From 8 - 11 July 1996 workshops were conducted with a representative sample and interviews were held as well as the completion of questionnaires. Feedback on results was given on 28 August 1996. This project is still ongoing and conducted in all regions in the format known as Industrial Theatre.
3.6 FESTIVE SEASON CAMPAIGN
This projects is launched in the form of road safety campaign to educate the public about the safe usage of roads. It was launched at the start of the festive season to try and reduce road fatalities and it is still continuing.
A media campaign is being launched through radio and TV and will continue until 31 January 1997.
4. CONCLUSION
It is also necessary to indicate how the Department has done with regard to National projects. On 3 September 1996, the Provincial Taxi Registrar's Office was launched and the Registrar appointed in terms of National policy.
The Department has also provisionally approved the status quo reports for passenger transport plans submitted by the Stellaland Regional Services, the Westvaal and the Rustenburg Regional Services Council.
The final approval thereof is being delayed by the amendment of the Urban Transport Act which is still with the Provincial Law Advisors.